Machine for forming offsets in springs



May 16, 1933. J. M. OLDHAM MACHINE FOR FORMING OFFSETS IN SPRINGS- 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 8, 1932 mmmlFWmmnumu INVENTOR John PLOldham BYE F 6% A'r'roR l s May 16, 1933. I 1 1. M. OLDHAM 1,909,499

MACHINE FOR FORMING OFFSETS IN SPRINGS Filed Feb. 8, 1932 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR John M. Oldham May 16, 1933. J. M. OLDHAM MACHINE FOR FORMING UFFSETS IN SPRINGS Filed Feb. 8, 1932 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 NR 3 0 a 3 N w t m 3 m 0 0 3 8 M o om i 09 om mfi ooooo Moooooooooo 0 Q 0 FA 0 WO 0mm 5 O np T 0 o i Z 7 mm 0 t W o 3 o 8 Q 3 cm I N A 3 0% Om g NM 8 g HUI, wm mm -1 uni v 7,, a B MI I m R ow mMS RU Y Oh E mm km cV. O O T T WM A H mm U May 16, 1933. .J. M. OLDHAM MACHINE FOR FORMING OFFSEIS IN SPRINGS Filed Feb. 8, 1932 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 R W W 0 G E T N mm m W w M A n O v T E/n y 1933- I J.IM. OLDHAM 1,909,499

MACHINE FOR FORMING OFFSETS IN SfRINGS Filed Feb. 8, 1932 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR J o hm M. Oldham 1% 4M 75%? ATTORNEYS May 16, 1933. J. M. OLDHAM v MACHINE FOR FORMING OFFSETS IN SPRINGS Filed Feb. 8. 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 KNVENTOR John M. Oldham T ORNEYS n." on

Patented May 16, 1933 UblfTEDf STATES PATENT OFFECE JOHN IVI. OLDHAM, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR 'lO L. A. YOUNG SPRING & HIRE CORPORATION, OF DETRQIT, MICHIGAN MACHINE FOR. FORMING OFFSETS IN SFRINGS Application filed February 8, 1932. Serial No. 591,?11.

This invention relates to machines for forming oifsets in the end coils of springs such as are employed in bed bottoms, mattress cushions and the like, the ofisets being provided to facilitate assembling or to cooperate with connecting members for the springs.

The main objects of the invention are:

First, to provide a machine of this charactor in which a pair of offsets is simultaneously formed in both end coils of the spring.

Second, to provide a machine of this charactor in which the springs are automatically positioned to permit the operation of the forming members so that the likelihood of injury to the operator is minimized.

Third, to provide a machine of the character described having a very large capacity and one which produces very uniform results.

Fourth, to provide in a machine of the class described an improved conveyor means for positioning and discharging the work.

Objects pertaining to details and economies of my invention will definitely appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined in the claims.

A structure which embodies the features of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: i

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a machine embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view mainly in vertical section on line 3-3 of Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view partially in horizontal section and partially in plan on a line corresponding to line 4 4' of Figs. 3, 5 and 7 one of the units bemg shown in plan and the other in section.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view partially in section and partially in full lines on line 4-t of Figs. 2 and 3, one of the units being in full lines and the other mainly sectioned.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary section on, line 66 of Fig. 1 showing details of the intermittent drive for the conveyor.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail view partially in section on line 77 of Figs. 1 and 5 showing the details of one of the forming units.

Fig. 8 is a detail view of parts of the forming unit shown in Fig. 7 in actuated position.

Figs. '9 and 10 are perspective views of one set of forming jaws disassembled, these jaws being arranged in the coacting relation shown in Figs. 4 and 7. v

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary side elevation of the conveyor illustrating one pair of holders in open position to receive a spring and an other pair carrying a spring, the second pair and spring being shown in dotted lines.

Fig. 12 is an enlar ed detail view of the actuating cam for one forming unit.

Referring to the drawings the frame or bed 1 is supported on suitable pedestals or legs 2 and is of such dimensions as to support the mechanism in proper relation. 3 represents the driving pulley controlled by the clutch 4 mounted on the arm-like bracket 5 and connected to the control lever 6-by means of the link 7. The driving shaft 8 of the machine is connected to the pulley 3 by means of the gears 9 and 10. It will be understood that any suitable driving means may be provided for the shaft 8.

The work 11, a double helically coiled spring in this instance, has end coils such as shown in Fig. 7, as the function of this machine is to form offsets 12 in these end coils, see Fig. 8.

The work is fed to and carried from the forming units by means of aconveyor disposed transversely of the machine and consisting of a sprocket chain 13 carried by the sprocket wheels 14 and 15 mounted 011 the shafts 16 and 17, respectively, most clearly shown in Fig. 8. The conveyor is driven intermittently, the driving means in the emhodiment illustrated consisting of an intermittently driven shaft 18 having a sprocket wheel. 19 thereon connected to the shaft 16 of the sprocket wheel 14 by means of the sprocket chain 20 and the sprocket wheel 21 on. the shaft 16.

The shaft 18 has a ratchet wheel 22 thereon driven by the pawl carried on the rocker 24.- having a roller 25 with which the cam 26 on the driving shaft 8 coacts so that with each revolution of the driving shaft the rocker is actuated to move the conveyor one step. The spring 27 urges the roller 25 against the cam. The cam has an abrupt drop or dwell. 28 to provide a considerable period of rest between feed movements of the conveyor, the purpose of which will be clear as the description proceeds. The detent 29 prevents rebound of the lift and the parts driven therethrough.

The conveyor is provided with a series of holders each comprising a pair of jaws 30 adapted to receive the reduced coils or central coils of the work and close thereon so that the work is effectively supported. in a definite relation as it is carried through the machine. These jaws are mounted on adjacent links of the conveyor so that when the jaws pass around the sprockets they are opened as shown in Figs. 3 and 11 to receive or discharge the work.

In the embodiment illustrated the work is placed in the conveyor holders or carriers by one operator and removed by another, the work being ordinarily brought to the ma chine in assembled bundles or nested relation, and preferably nested or bundled after passing through the machine for convenience in handling.

To properly support the work in transverse relation on the carrier, that is, at substantially right angles to the plane of travel of the carrier, and prevent twisting of the jaws, the jaws are provided with spirally disposed ribs 31 and 32 which coact with the coils or engage the coils to properly position the work. The pitch of these ribs is approximately that of the pitch of the coils of the work, see Fig. 4. The drive of the conveyor is such that the work is positioned when the carrier pauses with the work in operative relation to the forming units designated generally by the numeral 33 disposed one at each side of the path of the conveyor. As these forming units are duplicates, except that their position is reversed, a description of a single unit will suiiice.

The forming unit comprises a head 34 carried by a slide 35 reciprocating in ways 36 on the bed of the machine. The slides are actuated to work engaging position by means of the coiled springs 37 connected to the cross piece 38 on the bed, the slide being provided with a stud 39 to which one end of the spring is connected and the cross piece being provided with a stud 40 to which the other end of the spring is connected, as best shown in Fig. 5. Adjustable stops 41 limit the inward movement of the heads.

The slides are retracted by means of the plunger rod 42 carried by the lever 43 which is pivoted at 44 and provided with a cam. follower roller 45 coacting with the cam 1118111- bers 46 and 47 on the driving shaft 8. These cam members provide a positive control for the plunger so that its operation is properly timed. The plunger has a lost motion connection to the slide as shown in Fig. 4. The plunger has an ustable tappet 48 coacting with adjustable stops or impact members 49 on the slide threaded for adjustment so that the retraction of the slide may be accurately timed.

In Fig. 4 the slide is shown in its retracted position. In Fig. 5 it is shown in its advanced or work engaging position, which position is determined. by the stops 41.

The head or carriage 34 has a jaw plate 50 rotatably mounted thereon, preferably by means of screws 51 engaging segmental slots 52. The purpose of this rotative adjustment is to properly position the forming jaws relative to the work, for example, so that the offset may be properly located relative to the knot of the springs. The jaw plate has a radial way 53 therein in which the jaw slides 54 and 55 are reciprocatin mounted, these slides being arranged in overlapping relation. The slide 55 is provided with a way 56 formed by a pair of members 57 which are detach ably mounted on the member 50 for convenience in forming parts and assembling.

The jaw slides 54 and 55 are provided with a female or die jaw 58 and a male or punch jaw 59, the male jaw of one jaw slide being adapted to coact with the female jaw of the other jaw slide. The female jaws have recesses 60 in their faces of proper dimen sions for the upset desired while the male jaws have coacting punch projections 61. These jaw slides are slotted at 69. to facilitate assembling, the jaws 59 being detachably mounted so that they may be removed to permit assembling or the insertion of the block 63 on the jaw slide 54 through the opening 62 of the aw slide 50. The jaws, when assembled, all lie in the same plane as shown in Fig. 4.

The jaw members 58 are adjustably mounted on the aw slides by means of the screws 64 engaging slots 65 in the jaw members and the adjusting screws 6 which engage the outer ends of the jaw members and constitute supports therefor, thereby relieving the screws 64 of strain in operation. Lock nuts 67 are provided for the adjusting screws 66.

With the parts thus assembled the jaws are actuated to closed position as shown in Fig. 8 by actuating in opposite directions. The actuating means in the embodiment illustrated is the tapered or wedge-shaped head 68 on the plunger 42, the tip of the head engaging oppositely beveled surfaces 69 on the inner edges of the members 59 so that, in operation, as the plunger moves forward the jaw carriage or head is moved forward by the springs 37 until such forward movement is stopped by the stops 41. Continued forward movement of the plunger actuates the jaws to close them upon the work forming the offsets as shown in Fig. 8. The jaws not attempted to illustrate or are opened by means of the coiled spring 70. To properly hold the work during the forming operation, each forming unit is provided with a pair of clamp members 71 and 72 pivoted at 7 3 and provided with an operating connection consisting of the operating lever 74 pivoted on the bed of the machine and connected by the link 75 to the jaw slide so that, as the jaw slide moves forward, the lever is actuated. This lever has a pivoted arm 76 at its upper end supported by a pin 77 engaging a slot 7 8 on the jaw carriage. The arm 76 is connected by diverging links 79 to arms 80 on the spindles, or pivots 7 3 of the work clamps. The stops 81 limit the opening movement of the clamping members, the link 7 5 having a lost motion connection with the jaw carriage and having a slot 82 therein loosely engaging the headed stud 83 on the carriage. 7

With this arrangement of parts, after the forming carriages have been moved up to work engaging position, the work clamps are actuated to securely clamp the work and hold it during the. forming operations. The clamp 72 is specially formed to engage the spring at the knot, see Fig. 7.

To facilitate adjustment a spacer rod 84 is provided carried by one forming head or carriage and adapted to coact with the other. As a further adjustment means the connec tion for the plunger 4-2 to the lever 43 is made adjustable, this connection consisting of a sleeve 85 adjustably supported on the plunger by means of threads on the plunger and coacting nuts 86 on opposite sides of the sleeve, the sleeve being engaged by the pin 87 on the lever.

To revent overthrow of the conveyor I provi e the shaft 17 of the conveyor sprocket 15 with a brake drum 88. Friction shoes 89 pivoted at 90 and provided with an adjusting screw 91 secure the desired friction.

A work table 92 is provided to support the conveyor, or more particularly the holder, which is in forming position, so that the work is properly presented to be engaged by the jaws and work clamps, and also steadied during the form operation.

With the parts thus arranged it is only necessary for the operator to place the springs in the holders, which may be conveniently done while the conveyor is at rest and while the holders are open, as results from their passage over the front conveyor sprocket 15.

he springs are automatically positioned by the conveyor, the carriages actuated to work engaging position, the work clamps actuated, and th e aws then actuated to form the offsets.

The work may be removed by an operator or discharged into a receptacle or conveyor, as desired.

The machine is of large capacity andthe offsets are very accurately formed. I have describe various modifications and adaptations which I contemplate as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my improvements as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a machine of the class described, the combination of forming carriages reciprocatingly mounted for movement to and from each. other, springs actii'ig to urge said carriages to work engaging position, adjustable stops limiting the forward movement of said carriages, forming jaws mounted on said carriages for relative sliding movement in plane transverse to the path of travel of the carriages, spring means acting to retract said jaws, actuating plungers provided, with tapered heads operatively associated with said jaws for closing said jaws, said plungers having a lost motion connect-ion to said carriages including adjustable tappets whereby the carriages are retracted, work clamps pivotally mounted on said carriages to engage the work intermediate said forming jaws, means for automatically actuating said work clamps in timed relation to the actuation of said carriages and jaws, a work conveyor comprising a sprocket chain disposed to travel transversely between said forming carriages and provided with work holders engaging the work centrally thereof, means for driving said conveyor step by step in timed relation to the movement of said carriages, and a table disposed between said carriages and across which said conveyor chain travels adapted to support the same at the point where the work is operated upon.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination of forming carriages reciprocatingly mounted for movement to and from each other, springs acting to urge said carriages to work engaging position, adjustable stops limiting the forward movement of said carriages, forming jaws mounted on said carriages for relative sliding movement in a plane transverse to the path of travel of the carriages, spring means acting to retract said jaws, actuating plungers provided with tapered heads operatively associated w th said jaws for closing said jaws, said plungers having a lost motion'conncction to said carriages including adjustable tappets whereby the carriages are retracted, Work clamps pivotally mounted on said carriages to engage the work intermediate said forming jaws, and means for automatically actuating said work clamps in timed relation to the actuation of said carriages and. jaws.

8. In a machine of the class described. the combination of forming carriages reciprocatingly mounted for movement to and from each. other, springs acting to urge said carriages to work engaging position, adjustable stops limiting the forward movement of said carriages, forming jaws mounted on said carriages for relative sliding movement in a plane transverse to the path of travel of the carriages, spring means acting to retract said jaws, actuating plungers provided with tapered heads operatively associated with said jaws for closing said jaws, said plungers having a lost motion connection to said carriages including adjustable tappets whereby the carriages are retracted, a work conveyor comprising a sprocket chain disposed to travel transversely between said forming carriages and provided with work holders engaging the r work centrally thereof, means for driving said conveyor step by step in timed relation to the movement of said carriages, and a table disposed between said carriages and across which said conveyor chain travels adapted to support the same at the point where the work is operated upon.

4. In a machine of the class described, the combination of forming carriages reciprocatingly mounted for movement to and from each other, springs acting to urge said carriages to work engaging position, adjustable stopslimiting the forward movement of said carriages, forming jaws mounted on said carriages for relative sliding n'iovement in a plane transverse to the path oi travel of the carriages, spring means acting to retract said jaws, actuating plungers provided with tapered heads operatively associated with said for closing said jaws, said plungers having a lost motion connection to said carriages including adjustable tappets whereby the carriages are retracted.

5. In a machine oi the class described, the combination of carriages reciprocatingly mounted for movement to and from each other, spring means acting to urge said carriages to operating position, stops limiting the forward movement of said carriages, forming members mounted on said carria es l for movement in a plane transverse to me path of travel of the carriages, spring means acting to retract said forming members, actuating plungers operatively associated with said. forming members and having lost motion connections to said carriages whereby said carriages are advanced to operating position and said forming members actuated in timed. relation, work clamps mounted on said carriages, means for actuating said work clamps in timed relation to the actuation of said carriages and forming members, and a conveyor having a step by step movement in timed relation to the said carriages and positioning the work between said carriages to be engaged by said clamps and acted. upon by said forming members.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination of carriages IGCIPIOCfliZiIIglY mounted for movement to and from each other, spring means acting to urge said carath of travel of the carria es s arin means acting to retract said forming members, actuating plungers operatively associated with said forming members and having lost motion connections to said carriages whereby said carriages are advanced to operating' position and said forming members actuated in timed relation, work clamps mounted on said carriages, and means for actuating said work clamps in timed relation to the actuation of said carriages and forming members.

7. In a machine for forming offsets in springs, the combination of carriages reciprocatingly mounted for movement to and from each other in line with the longitudinal axis of the spring, spring means acting to urge said carriages to operating position, stops limiting the forward movement of said carriages, forming members mounted on said carriages for movement in a plane transverse to the path of travel or the carriages, spring means actin to retract said forming members, and actuating plungers operatively associated with said forming members and having lost motion connections to said carriages whereby said carriages are advanced to operating position and said forming members actuated in timed relation.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination of forming carriages mounted for movement to and from each other, means actin to move said carriages to work engaging position, forming jaw slides mounted on said carriages in superimposed relation and for relative sliding movement in a plane transverse to the path of travel of the carri ages, each slide being provided with male and female forming members, the male forming member carried by one slide eing adapted to coact with the female forming member carried by the other, an actuating plunger-provided with a tapered head operatively associated with said jaw slides for closing said jaws, said plunger having a lost motion connection to said carriages for retracting the carriages, work clamps mounted on said carriages, means for automatically actuating said work clamps in timed relation to the actuation of said carriages and jaws, a work conveyor disposed to travel transversely between said forming carriages and provided with work clamping holders engaging the work centrally thereof, and means for driving said conveyor step by step in timed relation to the movement of said carrlages.

9. In a machine of the class described, the combination of forming carriages mounted for movement to and from each other, means acting to move said carriages to work engaging position, forming jaw slides mounted on said carriages in superimposed relation and for relative sliding movement in a plane transverse to the path of travel of thecarriages, each slide being provided with male and female forming members, the male forming member carried by one slide being adapted to coact with the female forming member carried by the other, an actuating plunger provided with a tapered head operatively associated with said jaw slides for closing said jaws, said plunger having a lost motion connection to said carriages for retracting the carriages, work clamps mounted on said carriages, and means for automatically actuating said work clamps in timed relation to the actuation of said carriages and jaws.

10. In a machine of the class described, the combination of forming carriages mounted for movement to and from each other, means acting to move said carriages to work engaging position, forming aw slides mounted on said carriages in superimposed relation and for relative sliding movement in a plane transverse to the path of travel of the carriaa'es, each slide being provided with male and female forming members, the male forming member carried by one slide being adapted to coact with the female forming member carried by the other, an actuating plunger provided with a tapered head operatively associated with said jaw slides for closing said jaws, said plungers having a lost motion connection to said carriages for retracting the carriages.

11. In a machine of the class described, the combination of carriages movable to and from each other, yielding means for advancing said carriages, forming members mounted on said carriages for movement in a plane transverse to the path of travel of the carriages, actuating members operatively associated with said forming members and having lost motion return connections to said carriages, work clamps mounted on said carriages, means for actuating said work clamps in timed relation to the actuation of said carriages and forming members, and a conveyor having a step by step movement in timed relation to the carriages and positioning the work between said carriages to be engaged by said clamps and acted upon by said forming members.

12. In a machine for forming oifsets in springs, the combination of carriages movable to and from each other in line with the longitudinal aXis of the spring, yielding means for advancing said carriages, forming members mounted on said carriages for movement in a plane transverse to the path of travel of the carriages, actuating members operatively associated with said forming members and having lost motion return connections to said carriages, work clamps mounted on said carriages, and means for actuating said work clamps in timed relation to the actuation of said carriages and forming members.

13. In a machine for forming ofi'sets in springs, the combination of carriages movable to and from each other in line with the longitudinal axis of the spring, yielding means for advancing said carriages, forming members mounted on said carriages for movement in a plane transverse to the path of travel of the carriages, and actuating members operatively associated with said forming members and having lost motion return connections to said carriages.

141-. In a machine of the class described, the combination of carriages movable to and from each other, forming members mounted on said carriages, means for controlling the movement of said carriages including reciprocating members operatively associated with said forming members so that continued movement of the reciprocating members after the carriages have reached forming position actuates the forming members, work clamps mounted on said carriages and means actuated by the movement of said carriages for opening and closing the work clamps, and an intermittently moving conveyor having work holders adapted when the conveyor is at rest to position the work so that both ends thereof may be engaged by said work clamps.

15. In a machine of the class described, the combination of carriages movable to and from each other, forming members mounted on said carriages, means for controlling the movement of said carriages including reciprocating members operatively associated with said forming members so that continued movement of the reciprocating members after the carriages have reached forming position actuates the forming members, work clamps mounted on said carriages, and means actuated by the movement of said carriages for opening and closing the work clamps.

16. In a machine of the class described, the combination of carriages movable to and from each other, forming members mounted on said carriages, and means for controlling the movement of said carriages including re ciprocating members operatively associated with said forming members so that cont-n1- ued movement of the reciprocating members after the carriages have reached forming position actuates the forming members.

17 In a machine of the class described, the combination of carriages movable to and from each other, forming members mounted on said carriages, means for reciprocating said carriages and actuating said forming members in timed relation, work clamps mounted on said carriages, means for actuating said work clamps in timed relation to the movement of said carriages, and a work conveyor traveling between said carriages and having timed periods of rest whereby the work is presented in position to be enloo gaged by said work clamps and to be operated upon by said forming members.

18. In a machine for forming offsets in springs, the combination of carriages movable to and from each other in line with the longitudinal axis of the spring, forming members mounted on said carriages, means for reciprocating said carriages and actuating said forming members in timed relation, work clamps mounted on said carriages, and means for actuating said work clamps in timed relation to the movement of said carriages.

19. In a machine of the class described, the combination of carriages movable to and from each other, a plurality of spring offset forming members mounted on each of said carriages, means for reciprocating said carriages and. actuating said forming members in timed relation, and a work conveyor traveling between said carriages and, having timed periods of rest whereby the work is presented in position to be operated upon by said forming members.

20. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a reciprocatingly mounted forming carriage, a spring acting to move said carriage to work engaging position, an adjustable stop limiting the forward movement of said carriage, forn'iing jaw slides mounted on said carriage in superimposed relation and for relative sliding movementin a plane transverse to the path of travel. of the carriage, each slide being provided with male and female forming members, tl't-e male forming member carried by one slide being adapted to coact with the female forming member carried by the other, a spring means acting to retract said jaw slides, an actuating plunger provided with a tapered head operatively associated with said jaw slides for closing said jaws, said plunger having a lost motion connection to said carriage including an adjustable tappet whereby the carriage is retract-ed, work clamps mounted. on said carriage to engage the work intermediate said forming jaws, and means for automatically actuating said work clamps in timed relation to the actuation of said carriage and jaws.

21. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a reciprocatingly mounted forming carriage, a spring acting to move said carriage to work engaging position, an adjustable stop limiting the forward movement of said carriage, forming jaw slides mounted on said carriage in superimposed relation and for relative sliding movement in a plane transverse to the path of travel of the carriage, each slide being provided with male and female forming members, the male forming member carried by one slide being adapted to coact with the female forming member carried by the other, a spring means acting to 'etract said jaw slides, and an actuating plunger provided witha tapered head operatively associated with said jaw slides for closing said jaws, said plunger having a lost motion connection to said carriage including an adjustable tappet whereby the carriage is retracted.

22. In a machine for forming offsets in springs, the combination of a reciprooatingly mounted forming carriage movable in line with the longitudinal axis of the spring, a spring acting to move said carriage to work engaging position, forming jaw slides mounted on said carriage in superimposed relation and for relative sliding movement in a plane transverse to the path of travel of the carriage, each slide being provided with male and female forming members, the male forming member carried by one slide being adapted to coact with the female forming member carried by the other, an actuating plunger operatively associated with. said jaw slides for closing said jaws, said plunger having a return connection to said carriage, work clamps mounted on said carriage, and means for automatically actuating said work clamps in timed relation to the actuation of said carriage and jaws.

23. In a machine for forming ofisets in springs, the combination of a reciprocatingly mounted forming carriage movable in line with the longitudinal axis of the spring, a spring acting to move said carriage to work engaging position, forming jaw slides mounted on said carriage in superimposed relation and for relative sliding movement in a plane transverse to the path of travel of the carriage, each slide being provided with male and female forming members, the male forming member carried by one slide being adapted to coact with the female forming member carried by the other, and an actuating plunger operatively associated with said jaw slides for closing said jaws, said plunger having a return connection to said carriage.

24. In a machine of the class described, the combination of forming jaw slides disposed in superimposed relation and for relative sliding movement, each slide being rovided with male and female forming mem ers, the male forming member carried by one slide being adapted to coact with the female forming member carried by the other, a spring means acting to retract said jaw slides, and an actuating plunger provided with a tapered head operatively associated with said jaw slides for closing said jaws.

25. In a machine of the class described, the combination of forming jaw slides disposed in superimposed relation and for relative sliding movement, each slide being provided with male and female forming members, the male forming member carried by one slide being adapted to coact with the female forming member carried by the other, and an actuating means op-erativoly associated with said jaw slides for closing said aws.

26. In a machine for forming ofi'sets in springs, the combination of a reciprocatingly mounted carriage movable in line with the longitudinal axis of the spring, means acting to move said carriage to operating po sition, a plurality of spring offset forming members mounted on said carriage, means acting to retract said forming members, an actuating member operatively associated with said forming members and having a return connection to said carriage, work clamps mounted on said carriage, and means for actuating said work clamps in timed relation to the actuation of said carriage and forming members.

27. In a machine for forming offsets in springs, the combination of a reciprocatingly mounted carriage movable in line with the longitudinal axis of the spring, means acting to move said carriage to operating position, a plurality of spring oil'set forming members mounted on said carriage, means acting to retract said forming members, and an actuating member operatively associated with said forming members and having a return connection to said carriage.

28. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a reciprocating carriage, forming means carried thereby, work clamps pivotally mounted on said carriage, a pivotally mounted lever, a lost motion connection for said lever to said carriage, an arm pivotally mounted on said lever and slidaoly supported at its outer end, and links connecting said arm to said clamps whereby the clamps are actuated by and in timed relation to the movement of the carriage.

29. In a machine for forming ofisets in springs, the combination of a reciprocating carriage movable in line with the longitudinal axis of the spring, forming means carried thereby, Work clamps mounted on said carriage, and operating connections for said clamp to said carriage whereby the clamps are actuated by and in timed relation to the movement of the carriage.

30. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a pair of forming units disposed in opposed spaced relation, a table disposed between said units, a conveyor for carrying the work to and delivering it from said forming units comprising sprocket wheels disposed on opposite sides of said table, a sprocket chain coacting with said sprocket wheel and with its upper reach traveling across said table to be supported thereby, and spaced holders on said chain comp 'ising pairs of oppositely disposed outwardly curved holder members having spirally disposed coil engaging ribs on their faces, said members being mounted on adjacent links so that as the holders travel about the sprocket wheels they are opened by the opposite tilting of the links by which they are carried to receive and discharge the work.

31. In a machine for forming offsets in the end coils of springs, the combination with a pair of forming units disposed in opposed spaced relation, a table disposed between said units, a conveyor for carrying the work to and delivering it from said forming units comprising sprocket wheels disposed on opposite sides of said table, a sprocket chain coacting with said sprocket wheels and with its upper reach traveling across said table to be supported thereby, and spaced holders on said chain comprising pairs of oppositely disposed holder members mounted on adjacent links so that as the holders travel about the sprocket wheels they are opened by the opposite tilting of the links by which they are carried to receive and discharge the springs.

82. In a machine for forming ofisets in the end coils of springs, the combination with a pair of forming units disposed in opposed spaced relation, a conveyor for carrying each spring to and delivering it from said forming units comprising sprocket wheels disposed on opposite sides of said table, a sprocket chain coacting with said sprocket wheels, and spaced holders on said chain comprising pairs of oppositely disposed outwardly curved holder members having spirally disposed coil engaging ribs on their faces, said members being mounted on adjacent links so that as the holders travel about the sprocket wheels they are opened by the opposite tilting of the links by which they are carried to receive and discharge the springs.

33. In a machine of the class described, the combination of carriages movable to and from each other, a plurality of spring offset forming members mounted on said carriages, means for reciprocating said carriages and actuating said forming members in timed relation, and a work conveyor traveling between said carriages for positioning the work to be operated upon by said forming members.

34:. In a machine of the class described, the combination of carriages movable to and from each other, a plurality of spring ofl'set forming members mounted on each of said carriages, means for reciprocating said carriages and actuating said forming members in timed relation, and means for positioning the work to be operated upon by said forming members in timed sequence with the operation of said carriages.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

JOHN M. OLDHAM. 

